Your frequently asked questions
In this section, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions from people thinking about training with us. While it’s not an exhaustive list, it covers the key things most newcomers want to know before getting started.
No, absolutely none at all to come along and train with us.
Our classes are perfect for complete beginners, or people who are already experienced in martial arts.
No you are not, all you need is a little energy and enthusiasm and you are good to go, and it’s completely free to try what we do.
We do not really have a minimum age for startin with us, and this is why we offer a free trial.
We certainly do not have a maximum age and we have people aged 60+ regularly training with us in our sessions.
Only some water and wear comfortable clothing.
We supply everything else you will need.
No you do not, you can just turn up for a free trial at any of our sessions.
If you would like any more information before coming along, please do get in contact.
The first session is always free.
After this you can pay cash on the day or by bank transfer.
All the details on what it costs to train with us can be found on the pricing page.
We do not tie people into monthly contracts either, and we never will.
As with all sports there is some risk of injury, but we do everything we can to mitigate that, and our accident history is pretty impressive, with very few accidents occurring in our sessions.
Pretty much everything we do is on to the pads we provide, and sparring is not compulsory.
Good question, and this will depend on the injury.
If you have been advised by your doctor to not do any sports, then no you can not.
What we do is take a sensible approach to this and we can advise you the best we can. We certainly don’t want to make things worse.
In some cases yes, in some no, please discuss this with us.
No, these are completely optional and absolutely up to you whether or not you do them.
If you do not like these activities, you don’t need to do them.
As long as you have not been advised by your doctor or other medical expert to not do any exercise or contact sport, then yes you can.
Our approach is focused on what you can do, not what you cannot. Please speak to us if you’re not sure.
We always start with a warm up, some pad work, some fitness, some strength and toning exercises, then depending on what you want to achieve, either grading syllabus or more pad work.
What you decide to focus on in each session is entirely up to you and your goals.
No, we do not tie people into monthly contracts, and we never will.
Gradings are also not compulsory. If you’re not interested, you can skip them entirely.
No, we provide everything you need to get you started, you just need to bring some water.
If you do have gloves, pads etc., please feel free to bring them along.
From experience we have found that ages 8+ get on well in our sessions, however that does depend on the individual child, and one of the reasons we offer a free trial.
We also have people in our sessions who are 60+, so there is no maximum age.
If you are not sure, please come along and give it a go or get in contact to discuss things with us.
We teach a combination of Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Kick-Jitsu.
As well as the styles listed above, we offer real self-defence, fitness, conditioning, toning, sparring, a full syllabus, competitions, private 1-1 sessions and more.
Yes you absolutely can. Kickboxing is perfect for improving fitness and also makes it easy to lose hundreds of calories in a single session.
Another good (and very common) question.
It will take a minimum of 4 years, however the average time is 5-6 years.
The club (IMA) has a £10,000,000 public liability insurance policy, which covers you for any negligence caused by IMA, or by something we as a club have not done to ensure your safety. Details of this insurance policy can be found in our student area, along with a copy of the certificate.
Anybody that has been training with us as a club for more than 4 weeks must join us as a member, this will then automatically give you a CMAA member to member student insurance policy.
CMAA student insurance cover is £5,000,000 member/member and public liability only. This is free of charge to current CMAA members and provides cover should they injure another or damage property while training which results in a claim being lodged against them personally.
This is negligence/fault based which means in practice that all incidents are covered so long as someone is at fault/to blame.
Pure accidents where there is no negligence or contributory negligence are not included in this level of free cover, if members require a higher level of cover it is suggested that they seek “no fault” personal accident cover of their own.
Please note – In order to be covered by our free insurance CMAA membership must be in date NOW – expired members will not be covered. Students are responsible for ensuring their member to member insurance is kept up to date.
Full details of this can be found on the CMAA Website > https://www.cmaa.co.uk/insurance